Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

The Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce celebrated its longevity Thursday in the company of members who've been around as long and, in some cases, even longer.

The chamber, now in its 95th year, held its annual President's Gala Dinner at the Centerton Country Club. The anniversary theme is part of all chamber events this year, Executive Director Dawn Hunter said.

"I am so pleased to say we have 16 members that have been in operation for more than 95 years," Hunter said. "What does it take to make that happen? Whether it's a family business, a nonprofit organization or a group of investors — it begins with a goal, a dream, and a vision. It remains successful because of hard work, determination, and an ability to adjust to the ever-changing economic environment."

Barretta Plumbing Heating Cooling, a four-generation family-owned business, was among the 16 honorees. The family has even deeper roots in Vineland because its patriarch was an original settler and possibly the first Italian resident, according to current owner and former City Council member John Barretta.

"My great-grandfather's father was one of Vineland's early Italian settlers and he came in the 1860s," Barretta said. "He was a farmer and turned into a real estate developer, and his son is the one that started the plumbing business in 1896."

The original business started out as a hardware store and a plumbing business. The businesses shared the same building, with the hardware store fronting on Landis Avenue and the plumbing business looking out onto Elmer Street.

Barretta said the business, now on Pine Avenue, started as the partnership Himes & Barretta. His great-grandfather, also John, bought out his partner in the 1920s.

"I got an accounting degree from St. Joseph's and started out as an accountant," Barretta said. "Later, I went into the bar and restaurant business."

In 2004, Barretta bought the business from his father.

Chamber President Kathy Farinaccio said the area's business outlook is moving back into the favorable range.

"When the Phillies' losses outnumbered their wins, I always told my kids, 'Hey, we continue to bleed red and stick by them,' " Farinaccio said. "The same holds true for our great city and the businesses that keep it humming. When things get bad, we stick by them, support them and fight the good fight with them. And, sooner or later, the wins start outnumbering the losses.

"I think that pendulum is beginning to swing," Farinaccio said. "Just look at the announcement made less than a month ago that the old ShopRite building on Delsea Drive will be developed into a 75,000-square-foot family entertainment complex, complete with bowling alley, rooms for children's parties, a sports-themed restaurant and space for laser tag and Day-glo golf."

Mainiero's Appliance Store, another business recognized Thursday, also predates the chamber. It was founded in 1908 and it, too, evolved more than once over the decades.

"I would say we're definitely the oldest full-time family appliance business in South Jersey," said Ed Mainiero, the current manager of the business. "You don't really see that much anymore, with the big stores gobbling up business. We always enjoy it."

Mainiero said the business, which moved from Second Street and Landis Avenue to South Delsea Drive 18 years ago, started out as a barber shop that at some point also sold jewelry.

"The first generation, there was no appliances," said Mainiero, whose co-workers include his wife and a brother. "I think the change was a generational thing as much as anything.

"My great-grandfather was the barber, and he naturally sidestepped into jewelry with his customers," he said. "Basically, they aimed to please. It was a small town back then."

Mainiero said products often went right from the train delivering here to a waiting wagon or truck and on to the customer.

"You had railroad access running right through the center of Vineland, where most families were," he said.

Mainiero, whose parents now are in their mid-70s, expects his generation to be the last in the family to operate the business. "But we have quite a few years left in us," he said.

Not too far away on Delsea Drive is the headquarters of Colonial Bank FSB, another of the 16 members recognized.

A Bridgeton-founded institution, Colonial Bank shifted its main office here in 2006 with a new, 16,000-square-foot building at Sherman Avenue and South Delsea Drive.

The bank started in 1913 in Bridgeton as the Young Men's Building & Loan, with members of the Hankins family prominent in its formation and growth. It became the Young Men's Savings and Loan Association in 1943.

In November 1994, directors voted to adopt its current name and the bank also switched from a state-charter institution to a federally chartered institution.

The bank currently has nine locations, including in Gloucester County, and more than $550 million in assets.

"For 101 years, we have done our best to address deposit and borrowing needs of our customers," bank president and chief executive officer Ed Geletka said. "As a mortgage and business lender, or a place where retired folks and others can confidently deposit excess money, we recognize we have been part of people owning their homes and businesses over all of that time. To be recognized tonight among all of these prominent local companies, is very special to us because so many are our friends and customers. We look forward to serving our friends and neighbors for another 101 years and congratulate the chamber for all of their years of service as well."

Farinaccio urged business to take advantage of state programs like the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program and the Economic Redevelopment and Growth Program.

The guest speaker was Bonnie Clark, vice president of Communications for the Philadelphia Phillies. Longtime Phillies sportscaster Chris Wheeler originally was scheduled to speak.